There are several events going on around the community in the next few weeks, but one I hope you are planning on is the Household Recycling Day and the Free Dump opportunity that is this next weekend. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday there will be extra collections at the Recycling Center on Ave F for such items as batteries, old computer equipment and TVs, and tires as well as free dumping at the city landfill along with a special service of removing Freon from used appliances so that they can be added to the metal pile. There is a good sized ad in this paper that lists all of the particulars, so please look for that, and if you have additional questions call the city office for more information. This is a good time to work on our spring cleaning around the community, so please take advantage to do your own cleaning and let the city help in your disposals.

Another area that is getting more attention is the problems of animal control that have been discussed during the past several weeks. The new ordinance is being prepared with the input that was generated at the last City Commission meeting, and the city staff has met with the City Attorney and the Municipal Judge to work out details and address the concerns about barking dogs. As with any changes in the ordinances of the city, not everyone will be completely satisfied with the new rules, and it will no doubt require some additional “fine tuning” to get everything right, but most importantly, we are moving forward swiftly to deal with the issues that the citizens voice serious concerns about. Also, in the area of Animal Control, the new registration tags have just recently been shipped to the city office, and just last week the new registration cards to record the pertinent information about pets were received, so that now we are prepared to renew the process of animal registrations. Once the new ordinance is passed by the City Commission it will become necessary for pet owners to register their animals, but if you would like to get a jump on that you can now stop by the city office and for a $3.00 charge, register your pet and receive a numbered tag. With the understanding that very seldom will cats wear a collar and tag, we are asking that you bring you cat along and we will take a digital photo of your pet to be referenced with your registration. If you have questions please call the city office or talk with the city Animal Control Officer, Barbie McGowan.

The other area that seems to have created some concern lately is the city swimming pool. After the last City Commission meeting and the decision to move forward with getting repairs made, the City Administrator and I have already completed negotiating a contract, signed it and made the initial payment for the repairs to begin. It is expected that the work will begin in the next week and the entire project that will correct the problems with filtration and drainage at the pool should be completed by May 15 in plenty of time for the start of the swimming season.

There are still some issues to be worked out about lifeguards, scheduling and management of the pool, and there is some long-range planning that needs to be considered for the future of the pool, but our goal is to provide the services and activities our community expects. We may not always agree on the specifics of managing our community, but it is my goal that each of us can look around Mason and agree that it is the best hometown anywhere in Texas. With the rains a couple of weeks ago, the expectation that more rain will come some day soon, and the warmer weather of the past few days it is a distinct pleasure to look around town and feel the excitement and enjoyment that come each spring here in Mason.

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